CostIndexUSA

Mount Vernon, WA vs Seattle, WA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableWA
Mount Vernon
102.4
overall index
$2,125/mo rent
WA
Seattle
111.1
overall index
$2,175/mo rent

Mount Vernon is moderately cheaper than Seattle — 8.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Mount Vernon, you would need $86,800 in Seattle. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+39.8%
Mount Vernon
108.2
Seattle
151.3
🛒 Groceries1.0%
Mount Vernon
105
Seattle
104
🚗 Transportation+7.5%
Mount Vernon
104.4
Seattle
112.2
🏥 Healthcare+7.4%
Mount Vernon
94.5
Seattle
101.5
Utilities3.3%
Mount Vernon
96
Seattle
92.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Mount Vernon to see what you'd need to earn in Seattle to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Seattle, WA
$86,800
$6,800 more needed in Seattle

Formula: salary × (111.1 ÷ 102.4) = salary × 1.0850. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Mount Vernon, WA

Median Home Price
$567,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,125
Housing Index
108.2
Price-to-Rent Ratio
22.2×

Seattle, WA

Median Home Price
$730,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,175
Housing Index
151.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
28.0×

Seattle has 39.8% higher housing costs compared to Mount Vernon.

Income & Job Market

Mount Vernon, WA

Median Household Income
$91,200
Per Capita Income
$52,000
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
36,727
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingRetailTourism

Seattle, WA

Median Household Income
$110,700
Per Capita Income
$63,100
Unemployment Rate
4.2%
Population
737,255
Top Industries
TechnologyAerospaceHealthcareRetailLogistics

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Mount Vernon, WA
3.6×income-to-rent ratio

72% of income left after rent (median)

Seattle, WA
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.